Residents of Riakithiga in Kabare ward, Gichugu, have a reason to smile after the county government opened a medical laboratory at Riakithiga Dispensary.
The dispensary, which serves over 10,000 residents, will now offer more comprehensive medical services, thus saving the residents from the inconvenience of being directed to other health facilities, which has been one of the impediments to timely diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking when officially commissioning the laboratory, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said that the impact of the facility extends beyond the immediate vicinity of Riakithiga, as it will also serve residents from neighbouring areas such as Ithare, Ngungu, Kabare, and part of Baragwi wards.
The new laboratory will offer over 20 different lab tests, with results released within hours or, at most, a day, contributing significantly to disease detection and early intervention.
“By providing timely and reliable laboratory services to the community, the health and well-being of thousands of individuals will be greatly enhanced,” she said.
The laboratory is the ninth health facility to be completed among 20 dispensaries and health centres, as the county plans on improving healthcare accessibility for people. The completion of laboratories will save citizens from the burden of long-distance travel and excessive expenditures in search of services.
Waiguru added that the county government is placing emphasis on promoting healthy communities through public education on disease prevention and control through empowerment of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and strengthening their roles, provision of medical kits to facilitate basic tests and a monthly stipend.
Health Chief Officer Muriithi Nyaga said the project, which has stalled since 2013, will now offer services that benefit thousands of residents in the Gichugu area.
At the same time, Waiguru distributed High-Density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes for the Rukenya Irrigation Water Project, which will benefit around 1,000 people who will now be able to efficiently transport water from River Thiba to their farms. This will reduce dependence on rainfall and increase the production of horticultural crops.
She noted that the planned construction of the South Ngarima-Murinduko, Nyamindi, and Gikumbo dams will also significantly increase land under irrigation, allowing for greater crop production and potentially benefiting more farmers.
Peter Murimi, Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation, said a total of 530 registered members of Rukenya Water Project will benefit from the pipes, urging them to utilise the equipment well and lay it under required standards to avoid damaging it.
By Mutai Kipngetich
